S.: "You're running a marathon in Virginia?! OMG are you serious? When? You have to start training now. I'll go run with you sometime this week. Why Virginia?"

Me: "Uh, nooooo, I'M GOING TO RUN A MARATHON, IN KEEEEENNNNNNYAAA, IN AFRICA, FOR A FANTASTIC CAUSE!"

It was the longest announcement of my week.

And finally when I told my dad a few minutes ago on the phone. All in Spanish, btw.

Me: "Hi dad, I have something very important to tell you. I'm going to run a marathon in Kenya. The cause is for sending the Maasai girls to school..." I continue into detail "... and I was thinking I was going to train for the full marathon but I guess I'll do the half..."

His response, "No, no, no, you can do the full. I ran in university..." NEWS TO ME! "... look, you are fit, and start slow, do one kilometre, rest, next time do a little more, and by September you will be able to do the full marathon. Just don't do a lot right now, build up to it. Also, you're little and light, it should be easy for you. So, how's your sister?"

Photo by Sarah Edson via http://www.amazingmaasaiultra.org/

All 3 times I heard "You're going to lose" was said in a straight face and that one makes me laugh a lot.

I have have a circle of beautiful friends and family that are so supportive and funny. So many have called and messaged me with tips and words of encouragement. Maybe I don't fully understand the seriousness of running a marathon, I think I'm in the Ignorance is Bliss part of my journey.

Have you ever run a marathon? If so, what made you want to run it? How was your first marathon?